It happens every time we get a big rain like the one that melted the big snow.

Miles upon square miles of sheet water across the Willamette Valley attract the ducks from their winter roosts and they spread out to reap a harvest of seeds, bugs and other stuff the high and rising water carries to the edges of new ponds, lakes and flooded fields.

Oh, they'll be back all right, Ronne said. "In a couple of weeks probably, without more heavy rain. Happens every year."

Trouble is, the season ends a week from Sunday.

Until then, the old Sauvie Island adage stands: "Go big or go home."

In other words, take as many decoys as you can.

There are still a few wigeon around and a few teal were circling the skies over the east side Thursday.

Ronne is spending his last duck season at the checkstation counter. He'll retire at the end of June. See his story in Sunday's sport section.

Or just go out there and chat a while. He's full of tips and glad to give them.